NameCensus.

UK surname

Wagstaff

An English occupational surname referring to a performer of comedic shows or a jester.

In the 1881 census there were 3,733 people recorded with the Wagstaff surname, ranking it #1,224 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,678, ranked #1,455, down from #1,224 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes and Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bolsover, Wakefield and Rotherham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wagstaff is 4,999 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 25.3%.

1881 census count

3,733

Ranked #1,224

Modern count

4,678

2016, ranked #1,455

Peak year

1911

4,999 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wagstaff had 3,733 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,224 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,678 in 2016, ranked #1,455.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4,999 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Wagstaff surname distribution map

The map shows where the Wagstaff surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Wagstaff surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wagstaff over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 2,540 #1,167
1861 historical 2,562 #1,143
1881 historical 3,733 #1,224
1891 historical 3,961 #1,212
1901 historical 4,378 #1,299
1911 historical 4,999 #1,048
1997 modern 4,748 #1,378
1998 modern 4,973 #1,374
1999 modern 4,989 #1,376
2000 modern 4,935 #1,384
2001 modern 4,842 #1,379
2002 modern 4,920 #1,382
2003 modern 4,746 #1,395
2004 modern 4,746 #1,391
2005 modern 4,680 #1,394
2006 modern 4,692 #1,396
2007 modern 4,678 #1,408
2008 modern 4,659 #1,422
2009 modern 4,794 #1,419
2010 modern 4,879 #1,423
2011 modern 4,845 #1,416
2012 modern 4,739 #1,419
2013 modern 4,822 #1,420
2014 modern 4,802 #1,436
2015 modern 4,743 #1,437
2016 modern 4,678 #1,455

Geography

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Where Wagstaffs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken, Northill, Sandy and Kirkburton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bolsover, Wakefield, Rotherham and Newark and Sherwood. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken Warwickshire
4 Northill, Sandy Bedfordshire
5 Kirkburton Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bolsover 006 Bolsover
2 Bolsover 005 Bolsover
3 Wakefield 038 Wakefield
4 Rotherham 010 Rotherham
5 Newark and Sherwood 003 Newark and Sherwood

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wagstaff

These lists show first names that appear often with the Wagstaff surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wagstaff

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Wagstaff, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Wagstaff surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Wagstaff household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Wagstaff is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Wagstaff is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wagstaff falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Wagstaff is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Wagstaff, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Wagstaff

The surname Wagstaff originated in England during the Middle Ages, possibly derived from the Old English words 'waeg' meaning 'way' and 'stæf' meaning 'staff,' referring to a person who carried a staff while traveling along a path or road. Alternatively, it may have originated from a place name such as Wagstaff in Staffordshire.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Wagstaff can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from the late 12th century, where it appears as 'Wacstaf.' The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also contain references to a 'William Wacstaf' in Oxfordshire.

In the 14th century, variations of the name like 'Waxstaffe' and 'Wakstaffe' were recorded in various tax rolls and medieval documents across England. The Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1327 list a 'John Waxstaff' in Worcestershire.

The Wagstaff surname gained prominence in the 16th century, with notable individuals like Thomas Wagstaff (1645-1677), a prominent English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works. Another notable figure was Sir Joseph Wagstaff (1633-1700), a British merchant and Member of Parliament.

In the 18th century, Edward Wagstaff (1713-1768) was a notable English clergyman and author who wrote extensively on theology and philosophy. William Wagstaff (1685-1770) was a renowned English physician and author of medical treatises.

During the 19th century, the Wagstaff family produced several notable figures, including Sir Walter Wagstaff (1815-1895), a British naval officer and explorer who served in the Royal Navy and participated in several Arctic expeditions.

Throughout history, the Wagstaff surname has been associated with various places in England, such as the village of Wagstaff in Staffordshire, as well as locations in Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and other counties where the name was historically concentrated.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wagstaff families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wagstaff surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 517 Wagstaffs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.44x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 517 1.44x
Warwickshire 341 3.72x
Derbyshire 339 5.96x
Lancashire 323 0.75x
Nottinghamshire 283 5.77x
Middlesex 259 0.71x
Staffordshire 226 1.84x
Bedfordshire 204 10.84x
Worcestershire 177 3.73x
Essex 148 2.06x
Surrey 106 0.60x
Cheshire 96 1.20x
Cambridgeshire 58 2.52x
Leicestershire 55 1.36x
Ayrshire 52 1.91x
Lincolnshire 49 0.84x
Northamptonshire 47 1.37x
Oxfordshire 46 2.05x
Gloucestershire 41 0.58x
Huntingdonshire 40 5.54x
Suffolk 33 0.75x
Kent 32 0.26x
Herefordshire 27 1.81x
Midlothian 23 0.47x
Sussex 21 0.34x
Renfrewshire 19 0.67x
Lanarkshire 18 0.15x
Berkshire 17 0.62x
Glamorgan 17 0.27x
Hertfordshire 14 0.56x
Monmouthshire 12 0.46x
Shropshire 12 0.38x
Hampshire 11 0.15x
Durham 10 0.09x
Buckinghamshire 9 0.41x
Peeblesshire 8 4.68x
Carmarthenshire 7 0.46x
Northumberland 7 0.13x
Westmorland 5 0.63x
Devon 4 0.05x
Somerset 4 0.07x
Cumberland 2 0.06x
Channel Islands 1 0.09x
Dorset 1 0.04x
Flintshire 1 0.10x
Morayshire 1 0.18x
Perthshire 1 0.06x
Royal Navy 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 59 Wagstaffs recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.34x.

Place Total Index
Aston 59 2.34x
Stoke Upon Trent 53 4.07x
Hepworth 46 316.15x
Foleshill 45 46.65x
Nottingham St Mary 43 3.39x
St Pancras London 43 1.47x
Selston 39 71.26x
Birmingham 32 1.05x
Camberwell 32 1.38x
Darley 31 134.78x
Dukinfield 30 8.09x
Manchester 30 1.55x
Coventry St Michael 29 9.85x
Islington London 29 0.82x
Sandy 29 87.38x
Thurlstone 29 81.62x
Loudoun 28 42.79x
Wooldale 28 45.83x
Alfreton 26 15.04x
Colmworth 25 518.67x
Neithrop 25 33.13x
West Ham 25 1.58x
Bedworth 24 35.87x
Northill 24 136.29x
Radford 24 9.64x
Sheffield 24 2.09x
West Bromwich 24 3.42x
Barnsley 23 6.19x
Hackney London 23 1.13x
Yeldon 23 756.58x
Coventry Holy Trinity 22 8.04x
Greasley 21 18.99x
Worsbrough 21 19.89x
Bromsgrove 20 12.52x
Lambeth 20 0.63x
Leeds 20 0.98x
Leicester St Margaret 20 2.03x
Cheetham 19 5.90x
Chorlton On Medlock 19 2.77x
Denton 19 19.87x
Nuneaton 19 17.89x
Cartworth 18 60.42x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 18 0.92x
Lockwood 18 13.89x
Bethnal Green London 17 1.08x
Gamlingay 17 70.89x
Mile End Old Town 17 2.96x
Burton Upon Trent 16 5.57x
Doncaster 16 6.08x
Luton 16 4.91x
Welland 16 147.06x
Heaton Norris 15 6.11x
Kirkby In Ashfield 15 28.62x
Little Staughton 15 256.85x
Newington 15 1.12x
Snenton 15 7.79x
Tipton 15 3.99x
Haworth 14 16.35x
Hulme 14 1.55x
Leicester St Mary 14 4.30x
Liverpool 14 0.53x
Madeley 14 45.77x
Oldbury 14 5.99x
Wensley Snitterton 14 165.68x
West Derby 14 1.11x
Barrow In Furness 13 2.22x
Bassingham 13 144.12x
Bolsover 13 45.55x
Castlemorton 13 139.78x
Derby St Werburgh 13 3.96x
Dronfield 13 17.82x
Ecclesall Bierlow 13 1.77x
Hampstead London 13 2.30x
Hucknall Torkard 13 10.46x
Reddish 13 21.88x
Southam 13 58.35x
Bawtry 12 105.73x
Handsworth 12 3.97x
Norbury 12 241.45x
Oxford St Thomas 12 11.45x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Wagstaff surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 235
Sarah 159
Elizabeth 136
Ann 97
Emma 82
Eliza 77
Jane 68
Hannah 58
Annie 55
Alice 48
Ellen 48
Martha 46
Emily 42
Louisa 33
Ada 23
Charlotte 23
Florence 23
Maria 22
Caroline 21
Margaret 21
Harriet 20
Fanny 18
Frances 16
Lucy 16
Anne 15
Harriett 15
Edith 14
Agnes 12
Clara 12
Rose 12
Susan 12
Kate 11
Lydia 11
Amelia 10
Catherine 10
Selina 10
Matilda 9
Ruth 9
Amy 8
Maud 8
Sophia 8
Isabella 7
Lilly 6
Minnie 6
Susannah 6
Esther 5
Flora 5
Gertrude 5
Lily 5
Mabel 5

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Wagstaff surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 218
William 210
Thomas 137
George 129
James 104
Joseph 77
Charles 72
Henry 61
Samuel 53
Alfred 44
Frederick 36
Arthur 34
Walter 34
Robert 26
Edward 21
Albert 20
Harry 19
Frank 17
Daniel 15
David 15
Francis 14
Fred 12
Richard 12
Ernest 11
Herbert 10
Wm. 10
Benjamin 9
Elijah 9
Isaac 9
Edwin 7
Mark 7
Geo. 6
Job 6
Enoch 5
Fredrick 5
Jno. 5
Jonathan 5
Sidney 5
Tom 5
Amos 4
Andrew 4
Ben 4
Chas. 4
Fredk. 4
Matthew 4
Oliver 4
Percy 4
Philip 4
Thos. 4
Jesse 3

FAQ

Wagstaff surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wagstaff surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,733 people were recorded with the Wagstaff surname. That placed it at #1,224 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wagstaff surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,678 in 2016. That gives Wagstaff a modern rank of #1,455.

What does the Wagstaff surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to a performer of comedic shows or a jester.

What does the Wagstaff map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Wagstaff bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.